For 18 years, it was Beverly Franklin’s responsibility to open the big round safe at Iola State Bank when it was at its old building at 23 E. Madison. THE SAFE, which held Iola State Bank’s overnight repository, was expected to be empty. At one time, however, it held as much as “probably $20,000 or $30,000, maybe as much as $40,000,” said Jim Gilpin.
Franklin was given the honors again Friday afternoon at a grand opening reception at Audacious Boutique, now quartered in the former bank building.
Trouble is, the door would not open.
For more than 30 minutes Franklin tinkered with the combination to no avail.
Jim and Ken Gilpin, grandsons of Claud Gilpin, who once owned the bank and are Iola bankers, also tried.
The stubborn safe, last opened in 1973, did little to dampen the festivities at Kelly Sigg’s store.
David Toland, owner of the building that includes the boutique, said Sigg and her store, “represent what is my hope, and the hope of many others, that this is part of a renaissance for downtown Iola,” he said. “When I came over here today, I had a parking problem, couldn’t find a place to park. That’s a good problem to have.
“We’re so fortunate that Kelly has put out this amazing store and the public has supported her and it as well as they have,” he added.
Safe won’t crack after years being locked
